Protective device for a person&#39;s palm

ABSTRACT

A protective device for a person&#39;s palm comprises a cushion which is positioned over the person&#39;s palm, a band which is attached to the cushion and is adapted to be positioned over at least one of the person&#39;s fingers, an elongated strap which comprises first and second strap ends and is adapted to be wrapped around the person&#39;s wrist, and a strip of material which comprises a first end that is attached to the cushion and a second end that is attached to the strap between the first and second strap ends.

This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/509,750, which was filed on Oct. 7, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for protecting a person's palm from being injured by that person's fingernails. More particularly, the invention is directed to a cushion which is removably secured to the person's palm and which provides a padded barrier between the palm and the person's fingernails.

Many people afflicted with muscular, neurological and connective tissue disorders, as well as those suffering from head and spinal cord injuries, experience a side effect called metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal contracture. This condition can lead to a loss of function of the fingers and thumb, which in turn can result in involuntary contractions of the hand. When this happens, the fingernails can cause painful injuries to the palm. Balls and stuffed animals have traditionally been used to prevent the fingernails from injuring the palm. However, since these items can slip from the hand when the patient falls asleep, they often provide only temporary relief.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a protective device for a person's palm is provided which comprises a cushion which is positioned over the person's palm, a band which is attached to the cushion and is adapted to be positioned over at least one of the person's fingers, an elongated strap which comprises first and second strap ends and is adapted to be wrapped around the person's wrist, and a strip of material which comprises a first end that is attached to the cushion and a second end that is attached to the strap between the first and second strap ends.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cushion comprises a flexible cover and a stuffing material which is contained within the cover. Also, each of the cover and the stuffing material is preferably comprised of a washable material. Furthermore, the strap is ideally comprised of Nylon®.

When the protective device is secured to the patient's hand, the cushion will provide a protective barrier between the patient's fingernails and her palm. As a result, the cushion will prevent the patient's fingernails from injuring her palm. Also, the protective device can be adapted to maintain the patient's fingers in a comfortable position by sizing the cushion appropriately. Furthermore, when the cover and the stuffing material are made of absorbent materials, the cushion will absorb the patient's sweat and thereby make the her more comfortable.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers are used to denote similar components in the various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the protective device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the protective device of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a representation of the protective device of FIG. 1 shown secured to a wearer's hand;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of a second embodiment of the protective device of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of a third embodiment of the protective device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the protective device of the present invention, which is indicated generally by reference number 10, comprises a cushion 12, a band 14 which is secured to a top portion of the cushion, and an optional strap 16 which is secured to a bottom portion of the cushion. The cushion 12 may comprise any shape which fits comfortably within a person's hand, such as a sphere, a cylinder or, as shown in the Figures, an ellipsoid. Referring to FIG. 2, the cushion 12 ideally comprises a flexible outer cover 18 which is filled with a stuffing material 20. Both the cover 18 and the stuffing material 20 are preferably made of soft, adsorbent and washable materials. For example, the cover 18 may be made of terry cloth and the stuffing material may comprise cotton batting.

The band 14 and the optional strap 16 function to removably secure the cushion 12 to a wearer's palm. As shown in FIG. 3, the cushion 12 is secured to the wearer's palm by placing the optional strap 16 over the wearer's wrist and placing the band 14 around at least one of the wearer's fingers, such as the middle finger. The band 14 and the strap 16 are ideally made of a soft, resilient material, such as elastic, and are attached to the cushion 12 by, for example, being sewed to the cover 18.

With the protective device 10 positioned as shown in FIG. 3, the cushion 12 provides a protective barrier between the wearer's fingernails and her palm. As a result, the cushion 12 will prevent the wearer's fingernails from injuring her palm. Also, the protective device 10 can be adapted to maintain the wearer's fingers in a comfortable position by sizing the cushion 12 appropriately. Furthermore, when the cover 18 and the stuffing material 20 are made of absorbent materials, the cushion 12 will absorb the wearer's sweat and thereby make the wearer more comfortable.

A second embodiment of the protective device of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. The protective device of this embodiment, which is indicated generally by reference number 10′, is similar in many respects to the protective device 10 described above. However, in this embodiment the protective device 10′ comprises a strap 16′ and means 22 for connecting the strap to the cushion 12. The strap 16′ includes an elongated band 24 and suitable means 26 for securing the ends of the band together. The band 24 is ideally made of a soft, flexible and preferably washable material, such as Nylon®.

The connecting means 22 may simply be a strip of material which is sewed, glued or attached by any other suitable means to both the cushion 12 and the band 24. Alternatively, the connecting means 22 may comprise an extension of the band 24 or a portion of the cushion 12, such as a piece of material which depends from the cover 18. Of course, any other suitable device may also be used as the connecting means 22.

The securing means 26 functions to secure the band 24 around the wearer's wrist. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the securing means 26 is adjustable to accommodate different size wrists. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, for example, the securing means 26 comprises a portion of a Velcro®-like material 28 which is affixed to one end of the band 24 and which is adapted to releasably engage a corresponding portion of a Velcro®-like material (not visible) that is affixed to the other end of the band. However, any other suitable means may be employed to adjustably secure the ends of the band 24 together, including one or more pairs of cooperating snaps, buckles or buttons. Alternatively, the ends of the band 24 may simply be tied together with a suitable bow or knot.

A third embodiment of the protective device of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. The protective device of this embodiment, which is indicated generally by reference number 10″, is shown to comprise a cushion 12 which is secured to the wearer's palm by a strap 16′. The cushion 12 and strap 16′ are similar to the cushion 12 and the strap 16′ described above. However, in this embodiment the strap 16′ is attached directly to the cushion 12, such as by sewing it to the cover 18. In this regard, the strap 16′ could comprise two bands 24, each of which is attached to a respective side of the cushion 12. In use, the cushion 12 is placed in the wearer's palm, the strap 16′ is wrapped around the wearer's hand, and the ends of the band 24 are secured together at the back of the wearer's hand by any of the means described above.

It should be recognized that, while the present invention has been described in relation to the preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art may develop a wide variation of structural and operational details without departing from the principles of the invention. For example, the various elements shown in the different embodiments may be combined in a manner not illustrated above. Therefore, the appended claims are to be construed to cover all equivalents falling within the true scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. A protective device for a person's palm which comprises: a cushion which is positioned over the palm; and means for releasably securing the cushion to the person's hand.
 2. The protective device of claim 1, wherein the cushion comprises a flexible outer cover and a stuffing material which is contained within the cover.
 3. The protective device of claim 2, wherein each of the cover and the stuffing material is comprised of a washable material.
 4. The protective device of claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises a band which is attached to the cushion and is adapted to be positioned around at least one of the person's fingers.
 5. The protective device of claim 4, wherein the band is comprised of an elastic material.
 6. The protective device of claim 4, wherein the securing means further comprises a strap which is attached to the cushion and is adapted to be positioned around the person's wrist.
 7. The protective device of claim 6, wherein the strap is comprised of an elastic material.
 8. The protective device of claim 4, wherein the securing means further comprises: an elongated strap which comprises first and second ends and is adapted to be wrapped around the person's wrist; means for releasably connecting the first and second ends together to secure the strap to the person's wrist; and means for attaching the band to the cushion.
 9. The protective device of claim 8, wherein the connecting means comprises a Velcro®-like material.
 10. The protective device of claim 8, wherein the attaching means comprises a strip of material which includes a first end that is attached to the cushion and a second end that is attached to the strap.
 11. The protective device of claim 8, wherein the band is comprised of Nylon®.
 12. The protective device of claim 4, wherein the securing means further comprises: an elongated strap which comprises first and second ends and is adapted to be wrapped around the person's wrist; and means for releasably connecting the first and second ends together to secure the strap to the person's wrist; wherein the strap is directly attached to the cushion.
 13. The protective device of claim 12, wherein the connecting means comprises a Velcro®-like material.
 14. The protective device of claim 12, wherein the strap is comprised of Nylon®.
 15. A protective device for a person's palm which comprises: a cushion which is positioned over the person's palm; a band which is attached to the cushion and is adapted to be positioned over at least one of the person's fingers; an elongated strap which comprises first and second strap ends and is adapted to be wrapped around the person's wrist; means for releasably connecting the first and second strap ends together to secure the strap to the person's wrist; and a strip of material which comprises a first end that is attached to the cushion and a second end that is attached to the strap between the first and second strap ends.
 16. The protective device of claim 15, wherein the cushion comprises a flexible cover and a stuffing material which is contained within the cover.
 17. The protective device of claim 16, wherein each of the cover and the stuffing material is comprised of a washable material.
 18. The protective device of claim 15, wherein the strap is comprised of Nylon®. 